Dharma 5 - The Puranas

Class Information -

This class covers: Devoted to teaching about the 10 Avataras of Lord Vishnu and the major episodes from the Shiva Purana (including the deities Ganesha and Karttikeya). Teach simple Mantras connected to different deities such as “Om namah shivaaya”; “Om namo bhagavate vaasudevaaya” Simple stotras like Dashavatara Stotra and Lingashtakam can also be taught.

Ages: 9 / Grade: 4

Download PDF copy of book: CLICK HERE

Teachers -

Teachers:

• Shyamala Ganesh

• Vallabha Tantry

EMAIL teachers: Click HERE

Teenage Volunteers:

• Asayari Tembe

• Mayuresh Vernekar

Class & Homework-

Sunday, March 5th-

Material Covered in Class:

• Today we talked about Holi and its prevalence & origins; it occurs next week, on Sunday, Mar. 12.

• We told the kids about the story of Bhakta Prahlada, and the 4th avatar of Vishnu, Sri Narasimha.

• Below are links to the meaning of Holi, information on Prahlada & his previous births, and a website on the history of Sri Raghavendra Swami, who is the 3rd & last avatar of Prahlada, and whose birthday is today. He was born as Venkata Natha, in Bhuvanagiri, Tamilnadu, in the 16th century.

  • Holi: http://www.religionfacts.com/holi

  • Prahlad: http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_4/lectures_and_discourses/the_story_of_prahlada.htm

  • Avatars: https://raghavendraswamy.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/of-avatars-and-gods/

  • Sri Raghavendra Swamy: http://sriraghavendraswami.blogspot.com/p/history-of-sri-raghavendra-swamy.html

Sunday, March 12th-

Materials Covered in Class:

• Today in class, we talked about Sage Matanga, and how he rose to become one of the most knowledgeable rishis, and his influence in cursing Vali and his guidance to his disciple, Shabari.

• In addition, we briefly talked about Shabari and her devotion to Lord Rama, demonstrated best when she offered ripe, sweet berries to Him.

• We are also starting to learn the condensed 7-verse version of the Durga Saptashati shloka; it is in the link below:

  • http://greenmesg.org/mantras_slokas/devi_durga-durga_saptashloki.php

• Extra resources:

  • Bali & Sugriva: http://ritsin.com/a-tale-of-two-brothers-bali-and-sugriva-the-ramayana.html/

  • Vali & Matanga Rishi: https://sites.google.com/site/thelegendofvalithemonkeyking/vali-and-the-curse-of-matanga

  • Shabari & Matanga Rishi: http://odishabulletin.com/shabari-and-her-devotion-for-the-guru/

  • Rama meeting Shabari: http://aumamen.com/story/story-of-lord-rama-meeting-shabari

Sunday, March 19th-

Materials Covered in Class:

• In class, we had a special meditation expert teach us about the reason we meditate, and told us a story on how meditation can allow anyone to open their 3rd eye.

• It would be recommended that the kids meditate often, as developing that habit will be beneficial for their future.

• Extra resources:

  • http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/essays/meditation.asp

  • http://www.sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection&section_id=1722

  • https://vedanta.org/2011/monthly-readings/regaining-the-lost-kingdom-purity-and-meditation-in-the-hindu-spiritual-tradition-part-1/

Sunday, March 26th-

Materials Covered in Class:

• We covered the story on the great Tamil poet- Abhirami Bhattar

Sunday, April 9th-

Materials Covered in Class:

• In class today, we covered the Ramayana and the importance of Sage Vishwamitra in recruiting Sri Rama to maintain order in the forest.

  • http://www.ramnavami.com/ram-navami-puja.html

  • http://www.india-intro.com/religion/ramayana-the-story-of-rama-and-sita/723-ramayana-the-story-of-young-rama-and-sage-vishwamitra.html

  • http://shree-hanuman.blogspot.com/2013/07/rama-sethu.html

Sunday, April 23rd-

Materials Covered in Class:

• Thank you all for having your kids participate in the skit this morning, it was great to see the kids successfully present the performance.

• Today, Shyamala Aunty told us a story about Saint Paramcharya (b. 1894), and how he advocated for the practice of helping others as a way of performing poojas. Ever since the age of 13, he used to help others and started living a simple life by devoting his time and committing to helping those in need; below is an autobiography he wrote. He wrote books such as Introduction to Hindu Dharma, and Hindu Dharma: The Universal Way of Life, where he explains the essence of Dharma and good deeds.

  • What Life has taught Me: Paramacharya talks about Himself.. - http://mahaperiyavapuranam.org/what-life-has-taught-me-paramacharya-talks-about-himself/

  • Hindu Dharma: The Universal Way of Life - http://cincinnatitemple.com/articles/HinduDharma.pdf

Sunday, April 30th-

Materials Covered in Class:

• Today we told the kids 2 stories -

• one on Vijaya and Jaya, the gatekeepers of Vishnu's abode, and why they chose to endure 3 rebirths as Lord Vishnu's enemies.

• The 2nd story was on a saint named Thulukka Naachiyaar, who, although being a Muslim girl, showed her devotion towards Lord Vishnu by taking care of the Utsava Moorthi after it was stolen from the Sri Rangam Temple by the invaders. And even to this day, she is looked up to as an inspiration by many, and even has her own portrait next to Lord Vishnu in the same temple. I highly recommend reading this story, as it truly inspired me, and I am thankful to Shyamala Aunty for telling this to the class.

• Additional Resource Links:

  • About Sri Rangam Temple

  • The Saga of Thulukka Naachiyaar, Sri Rangam Temple

  • Story of three births of Jay and Vijay who were gatekeepers of Vaikuntha Lok

UPCOMING:

• Also, we will be having a Pizza/Donut Party 2 weeks from now, on Sunday, May 14th. We would like to know whether to bring Pizza or Donuts for the kids on that day; there is a Google Docs form below where you can choose. https://docs.google.com/a/isd284.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd766Q27UFIC71eM8TL2L0pCGf8OFvVl2lwhTMU7LVhh53hBg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Sunday, May 7th-

Materials Covered in Class:

• Our class talked about a few Nayyanmars- shaivite saints- including Appar, Sundarar and Avvayar. We also talked about Sishupala